Task Force Scorpion Strike fired Low-cost Unmanned Combat Attack System (LUCAS) one-way attack drones against Iranian targets on Saturday, marking the platform’s first use in combat, U.S. Central Command announced.
CENTCOM’s Task Force Scorpion Strike – for the first time in history – is using one-way attack drones in combat during Operation Epic Fury. These low-cost drones, modeled after Iran’s Shahed drones, are now delivering American-made retribution. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/VYdjiECKDT
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) February 28, 2026
The kamikaze drones targeted IRGC command centers, air defense networks, missile sites, and military airfields as part of Operation Epic Fury, according to CENTCOM. The operation represents an unusual case of the Pentagon weaponizing Iranian-origin drone technology against its designers.
“The president ordered bold action, and our brave soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, guardians, and Coast Guardsmen are answering the call,” Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, said.
SpektreWorks, an Arizona defense firm, built the LUCAS after U.S. forces obtained and reverse-engineered an Iranian Shahed-136, the same loitering munition Russia has fired en masse against Ukrainian infrastructure. Each platform runs approximately $35,000, Defense News reported. The company’s FLM 136 variant, designed for threat emulation training, has an estimated 500-mile range and 40-pound payload capacity.
The Navy completed the first ship-based LUCAS launch on December 16, 2025, firing from the flight deck of USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) in the Arabian Gulf, according to The War Zone. U.S. Special Operations Command-Central personnel lead the squadron.
“Bravo Zulu. U.S. Navy forces in the Middle East are advancing warfighting capability in new ways, bringing more striking power from the sea and setting conditions for using innovation as a deterrent.” – Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM Commander https://t.co/TgQ4WLbph3 pic.twitter.com/WUiAVojTht
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 18, 2025
CENTCOM activated Task Force Scorpion Strike in early December 2025, roughly four months after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed his “Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance” memo, according to Defense News. Saturday’s strikes followed less than three months later.
The drones can launch from catapults, rocket-assist rails, or mobile ground vehicles and are designed for autonomous long-range flight, CENTCOM stated. Some platforms carry Starlink terminals enabling swarm coordination, a U.S. official told The War Zone.
CENTCOM has not disclosed the number of LUCAS drones employed or released damage assessments.
